PDP absent as INEC approves 14 parties for Osun governorship poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 14 political parties to participate in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) conspicuously missing from the list.
INEC confirmed that the cleared parties successfully submitted the names and required documents of their candidates and running mates within the stipulated deadline.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the commission’s Public Affairs Officer in Osun, Musa Olurode, who spoke on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mutiu Agboke, said all submissions were completed through the designated online portal.
“The submission followed the conclusion of party primaries and the closure of the designated portal for uploading candidates’ particulars,” the statement read.
The parties cleared to contest are Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
INEC explained that the clearance followed verification at its Abuja headquarters to ensure that all submissions met constitutional and regulatory requirements.
The commission noted that the publication complies with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Item 4 of the official timetable for the Osun governorship election.
“The Commission hereby notifies political parties and the general public that fourteen political parties have successfully complied with the requirements within the stipulated timeframe,” the statement added.
INEC urged political parties, candidates, and members of the public to scrutinise the published documents as provided by law, emphasising that only the listed parties are eligible to contest the election.
Dr Agboke also assured stakeholders of the commission’s commitment to transparency and professionalism.
“The Commission remains firmly committed to the conduct of credible elections in accordance with the law and best democratic practices,” he stated.